Chapter 33: Proposal_1

Kid wore a light yellow jacket and skirt embroidered with branch patterns, making her black hair look like crow feathers, radiant and elegant. She had an unmatched graceful figure and an aura of a legitimate daughter.

Second uncle Dong Qingyue was thirty-eight this year, unlike his elder brother, Dong Qingping, who appeared gentle and scholarly, easygoing and peaceful. He had dark skin and looked very formidable. Though he was the youngest son in the Dong family, he carried an imposing presence that commanded respect naturally, even more so than his elder brother. He was also more stable.

As soon as Kid saw Dong Qingyue, her eyes reddened uncontrollably. Back then, second uncle had petitioned on behalf of the Bai family, but was accused of being an ally of the Duke of Zhen’s residence and was stripped of his official position and exiled to the border.

Second uncle, with chains on his head and hands, had loudly proclaimed before leaving, “Their loyal souls have been defamed, and their heroic spirits have perished! How the Jin kingdom’s rivers and mountains fall, I shall watch!”

“Grandmother! Mother…” After paying respects to the Eldest Princess and Mrs. Dong, Kid solemnly performed a grand salute to Dong Qingyue and his wife.

Second aunt, Mrs. Cui, quickly stood up to support her, “Kid, what are you doing?”

She held Mrs. Cui’s hand and helped her sit down, “We haven’t seen each other for many years. How is grandmother? How are uncle and aunt?”

Dong Qingyue put down his teacup and smiled, his tiger teeth slightly diminishing his imposing demeanor and revealing a bit of warmth, “Everyone is well! Especially your grandmother who misses you a lot! Three years have passed in the blink of an eye, and Kid has grown up so much.”

Today, Dong Qingyue and Mrs. Cui came together, instructed by Madam Dong, to propose marriage for her legitimate second son, Dong Changyuan, to Kid.

Mrs. Cui was initially reluctant. Even though she liked Kid very much, this daughter-in-law would be three years older than her son, and had difficulties with childbirth. What should they do if they couldn’t have children?

In Dengzhou, Mrs. Cui cried and made a fuss. But Madam Dong and her husband said that precisely because Kid had difficulties with childbirth, even becoming a second wife would be challenging. Only by marrying her into their own family and keeping her close would she not be bullied by her in-laws. At that time, they could take a concubine for Dong Changyuan, and any children would be under Kid’s name. This way, Kid would not be bullied, and Dong Changyuan would also have children in the future.

Even so, those children would still be concubines’ offspring. Any noble family would prefer to have more legitimate sons. Despite her unwillingness, Mrs. Cui had no choice but to comply, as Madam Dong and her husband had made up their minds.

Mrs. Cui smiled and patted Kid’s hand, her face smiling but her eyes full of bitterness, unable to express her sorrows.@@novelbin@@

Naturally, Mrs. Dong was overjoyed to hear about this. Although marrying into her maternal family was somewhat beneath Kid’s status, this way, Mrs. Dong would no longer worry about her being bullied by her in-laws. Kid would have her grandmother’s protection above and her uncles’ love below. It would be nothing more than taking a concubine for Dong Changyuan to carry on the family line. Even if Kid had no difficulties with childbirth, this was a match others could only dream of.

“Today, your grandmother instructed me and your aunt to come here first. One is to pay respects to the Eldest Princess. Second, your grandmother misses you but is too weary from the journey to come. So, we are here to take you to your eldest uncle’s residence,” Dong Qingyue said with a smile.

Before Kid arrived, Dong Qingyue and Mrs. Cui had already discussed the intention of marriage with the Eldest Princess. This time they were taking Kid to meet Dong Changyuan to see if she was satisfied.

As long as Kid nodded, Madam Dong would immediately ask Lady Shoushan, the mother-in-law of her eldest son, Dong Qingping, to come and arrange the marriage.

Both families were aware of this, only keeping Kid in the dark. Seeing her daughter-in-law Mrs. Dong’s satisfied expression, the Eldest Princess naturally approved and let Kid go. She only urged her to return early and asked Nanny Jiang to bring some tonic medicines for Kid to take to Madam Dong.

“Daughter-in-law, you haven’t seen Madam Dong for many years either. Go with Kid,” the Eldest Princess said with a smile, turning to Mrs. Dong.

Suppressing her delight, Mrs. Dong thought for a moment and said, “But… today I need to pick servants and maids for the new house of the second son-in-law. I have made arrangements with the human traders, and they will bring people over at the hour of si (9-11 am).”

“Let the second daughter-in-law take care of it. If you’re still worried, leave Nanny Qin to assist her!” the Eldest Princess ordered.

Mrs. Dong quickly got up to thank her, even more delighted.

In the carriage, Mrs. Cui couldn’t help but wipe her tears again with her handkerchief. Dong Qingyue held her hand to comfort her, “You see, Kid has grown even more beautiful, her manners refined, and her temperament remarkable. Besides the issue of childbirth, be it her family or herself, our Brother Yuan cannot match Kid!”

Mrs. Cui glared at Dong Qingyue, “Your niece is the best! Don’t think I don’t know you’re solving your sister’s problem and repaying your brother-in-law’s favor! Poor Brother Yuan…”

Seeing Mrs. Cui start crying again, Dong Qingyue’s face darkened, “Whether you agree or not, Dong Changyuan will marry! No more discussion! Stop crying, or mother will punish you!”

Seeing her husband’s face darkened, Mrs. Cui bit her lip, and her tears fell even more.

In the four-horse carriage adorned with dark blue tops, Mrs. Dong revealed to Kid Madam Dong’s plan.

“Since your grandmother learned of your injury, she has been unable to sleep. The only way to prevent your mother-in-law from bullying you is to keep you close. Just now, your second uncle said… Brother Yuan didn’t even have a maid in his house all these years! Although Brother Yuan is three years younger than you, he is mature for his age and has a knack for studying. He’s the perfect match!”

Mrs. Dong, beaming, held Kid’s hand, scrutinizing her for a moment, then her eyes reddened, “Now that your marriage is settled, I can die in peace.”

Only then did Kid understand why Mrs. Cui had smiled at her with a helpless bitterness in her eyes earlier at the Eldest Princess’s place.

She held Mrs. Dong’s hand, her heart tangled with emotions but unable to speak, “Mother, Brother Yuan is second aunt’s only child. Would she agree for her legitimate son to marry a wife who can’t have children?”

“Brother Yuan is a second legitimate son, not the eldest. Your second aunt has always been very fond of you. She shouldn’t mind, right?” Mrs. Dong’s words were uncertain.

Chun Yan, following beside the carriage, stretched her ears. Hearing Mrs. Dong’s words, her face turned pale, and she couldn’t keep up with the carriage.

“Chun Yan! What are you doing?! Keep up!” Chun Tao scolded with a frown.

Chun Yan finally lifted her feet. Her mind was in turmoil, and her legs weakened, making it hard to keep up with Chun Tao. She had to jog at the end of the team.

If the young lady married the legitimate second son of her uncle’s family, what would happen to King Liang? What would she do? She feared she would never see the noble and otherworldly King Liang again.

Thinking of this, Chun Yan’s eyes reddened, and she planned to quickly inform King Liang.